Chapter 10: All winter, now spring comes.
"Dear, is everything alright?" Charles was leaning against the headboard when he noticed Allison's mood when she joined him. "Were you still upset about what happened during dinner? I already talked to Slater and the other two. They will behave themselves this time."
Allison smiled helplessly at him. "It's not about that."
"Then, what is it?"
"I am not upset, Charles." Allison sighed. "I'm just... I feel bad for Penny. She's so adorable, smart, and very understanding. Although her maturity makes me happy, I also know children like that mature quickly because of circumstances. It's because they had no choice but to grow up and I..."
The corner of her eyes reddened whenever she thought of how Penny lived for the past thirteen years. "... we are so oblivious to her situation all these years."
Charles felt his heart softened as he moved closer to his wife. He understood his wife more than anyone. He also felt sorry for Penny, but they couldn't have known about this if Nina didn't get sick a year ago.
They didn't know Nina wasn't their daughter until she fell seriously ill. She needed a blood transfusion, but for some reason, none of the family members were matched. To be honest, they didn't suspect anything and simply thought it was because Nina's blood type was rare.
The doctors said it wasn't rare and family members should have it as well. Hence, Haines took it upon himself to check. Turns out, Nina was neither Allison nor Charles's daughter. It took them one year to investigate and find their real daughter. Even so, many worries still lingered in the couple's hearts because thirteen years was a long time.
"We'll take it slow," Charles squeezed her hand. "I know we cannot take back those thirteen years, but we can start to fill her with love, care, and everything she deserved."
Allison's eyes softened. "I'm just scared, Charles. What if we screw up again?"
"We didn't screw up, the nurse did." He smiled helplessly. "Though we should've known because we're her parents, I... we will try — do our best."
The couple stared at each other, becoming each other's pillar of support in this moment of uncertainty. Little did they know, they had Penny's blessing to screw things up as many times as they liked. She would be leaving, regardless.